Obituary of Nancy Bruce Pace
The Free Press - Mt. Vernon, IL.
November 4, 1875
Obituary
Died in this city, on the 30th of October 1875, of general
debility, Mrs. Nancy Pace, wife of Harvey T. Pace, Aged 68 years 6 months and
five days.
At the end of her decease, she was one of the few surviving
pioneers of Jefferson county, having with her parents, brothers and sisters
emigrated hereto, from Wilson county Tennessee, October 25th, 1823.
She was a resident of this county just 52 years, during 46 of
which, she was a citizen of Mt. Vernon, having resided a greater number of years
therein than any person, living or dead, her husband and one son, who came with
her, and Mrs. Mary E. Fly, (daughter of Judge D. Baugh, now of Iowa) who came to
Mt. Vernon about the same time, and still resides therein, alone excepted.
She has lived to witness the departure by emigration or death,
(the above three alone excepted), of all her earlier associations, with the then
frontier and obscure "Western Town," and observed from day to day, the removal
of the "old landmarks," to make room for buildings better adapted to the wants
and demands of a growing and prosperous community, till, strange as it may
appear, the only building remaining is a small frame she and her family occupied
the day she became a citizen of Mt. Vernon.
Her funeral occurring on Sunday, the Christian church in the
membership of which she was the pioneer in this city, (being a member for more
than 32 years,) was densely crowded, all available space being occupied, the
aisles not excepted.
On repairing to the cemetery, every available vehicle was brought
into requisition, many persons walking and others remaining at home, for lack of
conveyance.
The services were conducted, in a most appreciative manner, at the
Church, by the Rev. C.E. Cline, Pastor of the M.E. Church of this city, assisted
by the Rev. W. Sanford Gee, of the Baptist Church, and concluded at the grave by
the Rev. Cline.
We have thus made notice more extended than usual, on such
occasions, but this being an occurrence, seldom met with, we feel it not only a
duty, but that it will be of interest, to the readers of the Free Press, in this
county.
We will prolong this notice no farther, as we are informed, that
the Rev. Mr. Cline has by numerous parties, been requested to arrange his
discourse for publication, and he having consented so to do, the history of our
aged friend and fellow citizen, will therein be more fully reviewed.
Submitted by Mary Jane Ohms
July 5, 2001